I notice that alot of you troll using the hellbender/pet spoon combo.

I have a bass boat that I fish from. when you are trolling do you set your rod in a rod holder or just hold on to it while driving the boat. I ask this because I am not sure how practical it would be to put rod holders on my setup. I have tried just holding onto the rod but dang that wears you out after awhile

Just the constant sitting down and standing back up out of a bass boat steering seat is what's wearing you out. Putting a rod holder on your bass boat won't help that, so just continue to hold the rod. I watched a friend of mine who had a bass boat go through the same struggles...sit down, then get up to reel a fish in...sit back down, get back up. Bass boat cockpits aren't made for trolling, that's for sure.

I like the idea of the rod holders as you can set out 2 poles at different depths to help you find the fish faster. I usually fish with another person in the boat and we often have 3 poles in the water at one time. Its a blast when you get a double hookup.

FORGET THE ROD HOLDERS, IF YOU ARE USING THE RIG RIGHT YOU WILL BE TOO BUSY TO EVEN CONSIDER TWO RODS EACH. ALSO YOU NEED TO HOLD THE ROD TO FEEL WHAT IS HAPPENING.

MOST OF THE TIME THAT WE ARE ACTUALLY TROLLING, WE ARE AVERAGING ABOUT A FISH EVERY TWO MIN. ( USUALLY TWO TO FOUR FISH EACH TIME WE PASS THRU THE SCHOOL)

I AGREE ABOUT THE BASS BOAT SEATS. THAT'S WHY I USE A DIFFERENT TYPE OF BOAT.

HINT: POINT THE ROD BACK TOWARD THE LURE, A LOT LESS DRAG ON YOUR ARMS. KEEP A LIGHT DRAG SETTING.

ERNEST



[This message has been edited by ERNEST PATY (edited 06-26-2002).]

Thanks for the input guys

I have a basstracker tx17. If you are not familiar with it, it is a bass boat. I have installed six driftmaster rod holders around the perimeter of the boat for downline fishing and trolling.

For trolling, mount one near you on the driver's side and the other on the passenger side. You will be able to put out two rods and turn on the radio and take life easy. If you are like me, it is holding onto the rod that is wearing you out. I know, because I had the same problem until I installed the driftmasters. Getting up and down out of the seat does not really bother me.

Believe me it makes a whole lot of difference. You are not going to be catching fish every 2 minutes until you find the schools, and it is the in-between time that you need the help. When you hit the schools, then you can hold the rod. Since you are trolling, feeling the rod seems unpractical too because the hook set is typically made when the fish hits the lure. Heaven forbid to have to hold onto a rod pulling a pink lady or magnum hellbender.

I would also recommend installing driftmasters all around the boat for downline fishing, if you do it. Good for fishing for catfish, crappie, hybrids and stripers. It is alot more relaxing and you don't have to worry about a rod/reel getting pulled into the water.

What is nice about the driftmaster rod holders, is that you mount a small aluminum base to your boat and the holder can be removed. The small base will not interfere with any of your bass fishing. I like the li'l pro series for my boat. They can be bought at Walmart, Academy, etc.

My 2 cents.

You hang a hybrid and that rod is in the drift master it will move the rod holder either tighten it or loosen it depending on what side it is on. I know I have had these rod holders for years and people I take still put them in the rod holders and when a fish hits it, it moves and i have them on tight with butterfly nuts as well.

I hold the rod all the time. I use a fiberglass rod and never notice any pull or resistance in my arms, the rod absorbs a great deal of it while trolling. There are times when you need to hold the rod level, down and then straight up, better to do it holding it then getting up to move it.

For sure about a fish every two minutes is very realistic. It does not take me long to find them and after they are found it is every pass.

I save the use of my driftmasters for live bait fishing and there is no better rod holder than that for live bait fishing.

In my short expierence of trolling, I prefer the rod in the holders aswell. Have had no problem detecting fish when they hit. If you are by yourself how would a person fish with more than 1 rod if you have them in your hand?

Gus

Steve,
I personally prefer trolling with my rod holders. Much more enjoyable. However, you are right. The hybrids do twist the rod holder. It is my hybrid alarm. Rod holder twists - hybrid. Rod holder does not twist and only rod bends - sand bass.

When the action is slow the holders are very nice. I was trolling Proctor this January for about an hour, when my alarm went off! Beautiful 10lb hybrid on a rattletrap.

I was not doubting anyone catching sand bass at the 2 minute rate. Long ago, I did that on Whitney everyday. However, catching hybrids on Proctor(where I fish) every 2 minutes trolling has not been very realistic for me. I have not even done that well on sand bass trolling - casting lures yes. That kind of action greatly depends on which lake you fish.

Very good point GUS! Don't listen to them TexasJohn! They don't know what they are talking about. PUT THE BEER BOTTLES DOWN!!! I was just kidding guys!

The best rod holders FOR TROLLING on the market today and for many years past has been the Down East. These lock into place at 90 and 45 degrees. They also make them for pistol grip rods as well. It's east to get the rods out when you have a fish on...just lift the rod straight up out of the holder. They are made to bolt in place, clamp (get the dual clamp), or for 3/4 or 1 inch diameter rail mount. Expensive but you'll NEVER need another rod holder.

Another great thing about them is you can tilt them up and down at whatever angle you want your rod tip in relation to the water even with the rod in them so when you go into shallower water, you can tilt the rod holder back so the rod tip goes up, then tilt it back down when back into deep water.

[This message has been edited by redfin (edited 06-26-2002).]

Just to let you know I am publishing Mr. Jim Redfin's new book on Trolling and Downriggin,It will be for sell for 3 easy payments of $49.99. As soon as he gets the rough copy done they will be on the market.

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Great info guys thanks. One follow up question. What speed do you troll?

I typically troll at idle speed. That is with a tx-17 with 70hp motor.

I fish out of a 18' tracker and probably need rod holders, but I do not troll too often, when I do I lay the rod across my lap, and use my right knee to absorb the pull, holding the handle with my left hand, leaves my right free to drive with. Thats my .02.

I've got a 150 hp outboard pushing a 20-foot center console. I troll at around 3.0 mph or about 850-1000 rpm. I use my GPS to give me a more accurate speed accounting.